James Tarkowski: Career, Stats, and Personal Life | Everton

Every Premier League squad needs a defender who does the gritty work without fanfare. James Tarkowski fits that bill—a centre‑back who climbed from League One to become a regular at Everton.

Full name: James Alan Tarkowski ·
Date of birth: 19 November 1992 ·
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) ·
Position: Centre‑back ·
Current club: Everton ·
Market value: €5.00 million

Eight key facts about James Tarkowski, from his official records to his current club status.

Who is James Tarkowski?

What is James Tarkowski’s background and family?

James Alan Tarkowski was born on 19 November 1992 in Manchester, England, according to The Football Association. He stands 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and is right‑footed, per the same source. Tarkowski is married and has children, though his wife’s name and the exact number of children have not been confirmed publicly. His father, a former amateur footballer, introduced him to the sport.

Where did James Tarkowski grow up?

He grew up in the Manchester area and began his youth career at Blackburn Rovers, but was released at age 14, as reported by Wikipedia. He then joined Oldham Athletic’s academy, where he rose through the ranks to make his senior debut in 2011.

Does James Tarkowski have Polish ancestry?

Yes – Tarkowski is eligible to represent Poland through his grandparents. The FA lists his nationality as English but notes his Polish eligibility. He has never switched international allegiance and instead earned two senior caps for England.

The implication: Tarkowski’s international loyalty is settled, but his background adds a layer of complexity to his identity that fans often explore.

Which clubs has James Tarkowski played for?

What was James Tarkowski’s time at Oldham Athletic like?

Tarkowski started his senior career at Oldham Athletic, making 89 appearances across all competitions between 2011 and 2014, according to Wikipedia. He established himself as a promising centre‑back in League One before a move to the Championship.

How did James Tarkowski perform at Burnley?

After a two‑year spell at Brentford (73 appearances), Tarkowski signed for Burnley in 2016. During his six seasons at Turf Moor, he made over 150 appearances and became a Premier League regular. StatMuse records that he played 194 top‑flight games for the Clarets before leaving on a free transfer in 2022. His performances earned him a first England call‑up in March 2018, as confirmed by the FA.

What is James Tarkowski’s role at Everton?

Tarkowski joined Everton on 2 July 2022 on a free transfer and signed a four‑year contract, with a later extension through 2028, per Wikipedia. He made his debut on 6 August 2022 against Chelsea. Under manager Sean Dyche, he has been a mainstay in central defence, starting regularly in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.

The pattern: each move in Tarkowski’s career has been a step up in competition, with his reliability earning him longer contracts and a consistent starting role.

What are James Tarkowski’s key stats and achievements?

What are James Tarkowski’s Premier League statistics?

According to FootyStats, Tarkowski has played 340 Premier League matches, the most of any competition in his career. Combined across all competitions, his career totals include 542 matches, 23 goals, and 15 assists, per FootyStats. StatMuse reports 340 top‑five‑league appearances with 12 goals and 11 assists. At Burnley, he also contributed to several clean sheets; the exact number is not officially aggregated, but his defensive consistency is well documented.

Has James Tarkowski received any individual awards?

He has not won major individual honours like Player of the Year awards, but his consistent performances earned him two England caps. The FA confirms he debuted against Italy in 2018. His value to teams is often measured by defensive metrics rather than individual trophies.

What is James Tarkowski’s current market value?

Transfermarkt, a market‑value database, lists his current value at €5.00 million (Transfermarkt). This reflects his age (32) and the fact that he is past his peak transfer fee, but still a reliable starter at Premier League level.

The catch: Tarkowski’s value is low relative to his contributions, making him a cost‑effective asset for Everton, especially given his free‑transfer arrival in 2022.

Timeline: James Tarkowski’s career path

• 19 November 1992 – Born in Manchester, England
• 2009–2011 – Youth career at Oldham Athletic
• 2011–2014 – Senior debut and 89 appearances for Oldham Athletic
• 2014–2016 – Transferred to Brentford; 73 appearances
• 2016–2022 – Signed by Burnley; over 150 appearances, 194 in the Premier League
• July 2022 – Joined Everton on a free transfer
• 2023–2024 – Became a regular starter under Sean Dyche

The implication: Tarkowski’s career path shows a player who steadily climbed through divisions, with each move representing a strategic step forward.

What’s confirmed and what remains unclear

“James Tarkowski has been a fantastic signing for us. He brings experience and calmness to the backline.”

Sean Dyche, Everton manager – Everton FC YouTube (official club channel)

“I’m delighted to be here and ready to give everything for Everton.”

James Tarkowski – Everton FC YouTube (official club channel)

For Tarkowski, the next few years at Everton will define his legacy. He has already shown that a player released at 14 can climb to the top flight and earn England recognition. The trade‑off is clear: he may never be a headline superstar, but his reliability makes him indispensable to Dyche’s system. For a club like Everton, the choice is to keep building around such dependable talent, or risk losing the defensive bedrock that keeps them competitive.

For a comprehensive overview of James Tarkowski’s career and personal life, including his Polish heritage, see James Tarkowskis career and personal life.

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